Collector Finds Fertile Field In Antique Farm Equipment

Entertainment - Spotlight - Preston Wells

KISSIMMEE — There is a lot more than nuts and bolts tied up in Preston Wells's extensive collection of antique farm machinery.

The history of the agriculture industry, childhood memories and family tradition bond Wells to his old tractors, motors and hay balers.

''This is the tractor I learned to drive when I was about 11 years old,'' said Wells, pointing to a 1958 Oliver grove tractor. A few yards away is the 1932 tractor Wells's father learned to drive.

Sitting in the barn is a 1928 John Deere Model D, which saw most of its action in the wheat fields of Oklahoma.

Wells will bring his collection of equipment and knowledge of history to the St. Cloud Art Festival Saturday and Sunday as part of the Heritage Crafts display.

The heritage display includes demonstrations of historic arts and crafts, such as spinning and blacksmithing. Wells will

fire up his 1945 John Deere tractor, a 60-year-old Lilliston hay baler and an antique grist mill for festivalgoers to look at, and display several other items, including outboard motors.

Although he was raised on a ranch, Wells has only been actively collecting, buying and trading for the past three years.

''Anything antique is catching on,'' said Wells, who is a member of several antique machine collector's clubs, including the Florida Flywheelers.

But although interest in antiques among the general population has increased, Wells points out that clubs like the Flywheelers have been promoting and informing collectors for 30 years.

''We're not just a bunch of dumb grease monkeys,'' said Wells of his fellow collectors.

Wells is a fourth-generation Central Florida rancher; he has lived on the family's land north of U.S. Highway 192 all his life. Tinkering with motors and repairing equipment has been a way of life for Wells for most of his 31 years.

A history buff, Wells is just as comfortable discussing the history of the agriculture industry as the mechanics of a 1918 Sylvester engine.

Like many collectors, Wells has his favorites. The family tractors are special, as is the Oliver tractor with four steel, rather than rubber, wheels.

Wells is an avid collector of equipment manufactured by Oliver, a farm implement company in business for about 30 years, from the early 1930s to the 1960s.

Wells owns seven Olivers, several valued at thousands of dollars.

''A lot of people are nuts about John Deere, I just like Olivers,'' said Wells.

Wells had planned to work in ranching - citrus production - but fell in love with teaching when he couldn't find a job after college. Wells has taught agriculture for 10 years at St. Cloud High School.

''Teaching is the next best thing to ranching,'' said Wells, whose courses include livestock production, ornamental horticulture and a personal favorite - agriculture mechanics.